The Daf Pony was created on the one hand by the development of a military all-rounder that could handle all kinds of terrains, the Pony 500 YP (a prototype), and on the other hand the vent wagon (project MD / dairy wagon with 3 prototypes). By combining the technology of the first with the plans of the second, DAF came up with a lorry (truck) version and a tractor-trailer version. After DAF had built several prototypes for the US Army in 1964, work continued on this concept. Due to the high ground clearance and the self-locking differential operation of the Variomatic, the Daf Pony can handle rough terrain well.
This light truck is largely based on the technology of the Daf 44, with the 844 cc 2-cylinder 4-stroke boxer engine, but also shares parts of the Daf 33 (air filter and modified carburetor). The roof and rear wall are made of polyester (and optional). Because the Pony is intended as a workhorse, there is no luxury: there is no door trim and the occupants sit on plastic canteen chairs. Because the basic version of the Daf Pony, type 1010, is supplied without a roof, the seats could get wet and plastic canteen seats sufficed, which DAF referred to at the time as 'contemporarily shaped plastic seats'.
Despite demand from various circles and praise from users of the test models, after which DAF intended to build 5000 Ponies per year, the Pony was not a commercial success. Production ended after 700 units.
DAF was way ahead of its time at the time. In 1970 there was still no market for a light distribution truck in the inner cities; in this day and age of local distribution and environmental regulations, this is the kind of product that the business community is asking for...